Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1887-01-27
nRIpoINo OF CLEARWATER.

Several spasmodic efforts have been
made during eight or ten years past to
epan the Clearwater river with a bridge.
Every citizen Of the county has felt the
Importance of this enterprise, and at one
time if the proper action had been taken,
the people OF the county would have
voted to have the county issue bonds
payable in fifteen or twenty years at
reasonable interest, to raise sufficient
funds to build such a structure, suitable
to the wants Of the people of the county.
But as time passed on, opposition showed
itself to such an extent that the friends
of the measure hesitatcd to place the
matter before the people. The principal
opposition seemed TO exist among the
people on the north side, and subsequent
" other small towns sprang up where
trading could be done, and those living
near those towns, the necessity for a
bridge for them seemed to diminish, and
since that time railroad has entered the
northern portion from the west, connect
INK that people with the commercial CEN
tres, and the merchants Of those north
ern towns have been able TO ship mer-
chsndise to and sell ut nearly the same
price as goods could be sold here in Lew
iston, and save the expense Of hauling
up the grade north Of Lewiston, and at
the Same time be able t. furnish a mar
ket for their produce without haul
down that grade. This has made the
people more conteuted who live in the belt
Of townships nearly bordering the Wash.
ington line. Although they have never
been able to sell their products at quite
70 high price as they have been receiv-
ing at Lewiston. We believe we do not
mistake the fact that at no time has
the market plice Of whoM been 20 high
At the eastern terminus Of that road, as
it was in Lewiston at the pame time. But
the extra cost Of hauling to Lewiston
perhaps fully balanced the extra price
paid in Lewiston. But there is a large
portion Of the county who can get to Lew
iston with their products cheaper than
to the terminus Of the railroad, and they
still want the Clearwater bridged. To
them the bridge is Of great Importance,
and il is also Of Importance to all por-
tons Of the equity, but perhaps not to
% great degree as to those on merid
ian east Of Moscow. A suggestion has
come from members Of the Legislature at
Boise stating that majority Of that
body will be willing to vote
IN appropriation of $4,000 or
$50, 900 from the territorial treasury for
the purpose Of paying for bridge over
Clearwater at Lewiston, provided our
people will signify that such a bridge ia
needed for the benefit Of the people #
tho county. Accordingly a telegram,
signed by some thirty or forty prominent
citizens Of the county, has been sent to
our members, urging that they make the
appropriation, If agreeable to that body.
Az " 10 the north have never had the
benefit Of aterri.orial appropriation for any
Improvement in the north, we cannot
rsasonably object to taking now, and no
where in this portion Of the north would
such an appropriation be Of more service
% the people Of Nez Percc county than
for the purpose Of this bridge across the
Clearwater at Lewiston. In fact It would
benefit nearly all the northern counties.
But We do not desire it at the expense
Of some big steal for the south, to be
used where nobody will derive benefit,
ave the few who have the handling Of
the money appropriated.